Times of India: Chandigarh: Wednesday, 1St
October 2025.
Coming down heavily on a public information officer (PIO) for negligence and laxity in handling an RTI application, the State Information Commission asserted that such employees "need to be taught a good lesson" so that others take their duties under the RTI Act seriously, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
These stern observations were made by State Information Commissioner Dr Bhupinder Batth while hearing an appeal filed by a resident of Ropar. The appellant stated that no information was provided to him till date.
During the last hearing,
the respondent again failed to appear. The commission noted with displeasure
that he did not even inform it of his absence. "This shows that the
respondent has no regard for the orders issued by the commission," it observed,
terming the matter "serious."
The commission further noted that there was "complete negligence and laxity" in the public authority's handling of the RTI application. It added that ignoring such matters amounts to disrespect of the RTI Act, 2005 itself. Expressing strong disapproval of the respondent's "casual and callous" approach, the commission remarked that his conduct went against the spirit of the Act, enacted to ensure transparency and effective access to information.
Holding that such kind of behaviour of a govt servant needs to be condemned, the commission noted that such employees need to be taught a good lesson so that the rest of the employees receive the right kind of message to wake up and perform their duties under the RTI Act for ensuring complete transparency and due accountability in the governance affairs of the public authorities. The appellant also demands that he be compensated for the detriment suffered by him in getting the information.
Accordingly, the commission issued a show-cause notice under Section 201 of the RTI Act, 2005 to the PIO, O/o XEN, Water Management Investigation Division, Ropar, asking why a penalty should not be imposed for wilful delay or denial of information. He has been directed to file a written reply to the notice along with a point-wise response to the RTI application before the next date of hearing.
The commission has also given the PIO an opportunity for personal hearing under the proviso to Section 201 before the imposition of penalty. It has cautioned that if he fails to file his submission or appear on the next date, the commission will presume that he has nothing to say and will proceed ex parte. Both parties have been directed to appear in person at the next hearing, scheduled for Nov 27.
Coming down heavily on a public information officer (PIO) for negligence and laxity in handling an RTI application, the State Information Commission asserted that such employees "need to be taught a good lesson" so that others take their duties under the RTI Act seriously, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
These stern observations were made by State Information Commissioner Dr Bhupinder Batth while hearing an appeal filed by a resident of Ropar. The appellant stated that no information was provided to him till date.
The commission further noted that there was "complete negligence and laxity" in the public authority's handling of the RTI application. It added that ignoring such matters amounts to disrespect of the RTI Act, 2005 itself. Expressing strong disapproval of the respondent's "casual and callous" approach, the commission remarked that his conduct went against the spirit of the Act, enacted to ensure transparency and effective access to information.
Holding that such kind of behaviour of a govt servant needs to be condemned, the commission noted that such employees need to be taught a good lesson so that the rest of the employees receive the right kind of message to wake up and perform their duties under the RTI Act for ensuring complete transparency and due accountability in the governance affairs of the public authorities. The appellant also demands that he be compensated for the detriment suffered by him in getting the information.
Accordingly, the commission issued a show-cause notice under Section 201 of the RTI Act, 2005 to the PIO, O/o XEN, Water Management Investigation Division, Ropar, asking why a penalty should not be imposed for wilful delay or denial of information. He has been directed to file a written reply to the notice along with a point-wise response to the RTI application before the next date of hearing.
The commission has also given the PIO an opportunity for personal hearing under the proviso to Section 201 before the imposition of penalty. It has cautioned that if he fails to file his submission or appear on the next date, the commission will presume that he has nothing to say and will proceed ex parte. Both parties have been directed to appear in person at the next hearing, scheduled for Nov 27.
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